De Sanctis: Sorry for Strootman

Morgan De Sanctis has offered his sympathy to Roma teammate Kevin Strootman, and affirms faith in replacement Rodrigo Taddei.

Morgan De Sanctis has offered his sympathy to Roma teammate Kevin Strootman, and affirms faith in replacement Rodrigo Taddei.

The Giallorossi are without their Dutch midfielder for the rest of the season and he is out of the World Cup also, after suffering knee ligament damage last Sunday in action against Napoli.

“There is sorrow particularly for Kevin because he was at an important stage in his career and in the season of Roma, he also had the objective of having a great World Cup,” De Sanctis has reflected this week on the matter.

“This was the greatest blow for him, but if one has to get injured in this way and stay out for so long, then there’s no better time, with consideration to the fact that the season ends in 60 days and there will be three months without competitive games and he will have plenty of time in which to recover well.

“Replacing him? We have De Rossi still out suspended, but the performance of Taddei [on as a substitute last weekend for Strootman] has been overwhelmingly positive at the San Paolo. The team succeeded in its play, regardless of the interpretations. We hope that to give everyone a season finale that strengthens our current League position.”

De Sanctis was asked if there was a direct correlation between Francesco Totti’s absence from the team and the struggles to break down opponents and score.

“We do not score as much as in previous games, but I believe it is a moment and that there is time in the next 12 games to demonstrate that we do function.

“The pressure should not be put just on the forwards, because goals can also come from midfielders and defenders. If you cannot win games, there is also a 0-0 result.

“There is value in the work of the team and we hope to make the most of the end of the season.

“Francesco will return and that is a positive, in attack he is capable of doing an important job and scoring, he can take responsibility with more ease and I am confident that between now and May 18 everything will run smoothly.”